Firth became the first Owl to compete in the NCAA Championships since Rice sent the trio of Marcel Hewamudalige (40th), Scott Loftin (133rd) and Stephen Magness (162nd) in 2004. Firth is also just the eighth Owl to compete at the NCAA Championships.

The junior qualified to compete at the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course by finishing 12th (30:32) at the NCAA Regionals in Waco.

The meet concludes the 2013 cross country season. The Owls will now set their sites on track and field, with the indoor season beginning in January.